The overall aim of this project is to understand the fire and explosion hazards of selected nano powders.

Particular areas for investigation include:

• Explosion properties;
• Ignition properties;
• Accumulation of electrostatic charge;
• Fire properties;
• Ease with which selected powders can be made to form a cloud; and
• The suitability of standard test methods.

Specific objectives include:

• Establish the difference in behaviour of un-oxidised nano powders (protected by an inert environment up to point of release) and oxidised(prolonged exposure to air) nano powders.
• To characterise the explosion behaviour of metallic and non metallic nano-powders.
• To characterise the ignition behaviour of nano powders in the form of a layer and dispersed cloud.
• To characterise the fire behaviour of nano powders as layers, deposits and when packaged/stored.
• To characterise the electrostatic charging behaviour and electrical resistivity (surface and bulk) of nano powders.
• To assess the dispersion and agglomeration of nano powders and how these influence the fire and explosion issues in general and suitability of standard characterisation tests.

A literature review has been completed: HSL Report "Investigation of the fire and explosion properties of nanopowders - literature review". Work is continuing on the characterization of nanopowders.